How to survive a redundancy

Being tossed from your job not only means a loss of income.  The loss of status, workmates, and the routine of going to work can be far more stressful.

Losing your job is like getting lost in the bush.  You lose your sense of direction.  You feel alone.

Some have described it as a total loss of identity – of who you really are.  People ask, “And what do you do?” It’s not a simple answer anymore.

Even though many thousands may be experiencing it, it’s still very much a personal experience.

The old saying about one door closing and another one opening often becomes one door closing and another one slamming in your face.

Is there a way to survive redundancy?  Consider these steps:

1. Don’t take it personally

Most people having just lost their job tend to personalise it. “I’ve been made redundant” is the first thing they say.  Not correct. You need to get into the habit of saying “My position has been made redundant”. 

When you believe you are redundant, your whole outlook is negative.  The blame game lingers on, and you feel unworthy.

But when you know that you just happened to be in a position that was no longer required, you can remove yourself psychologically from that decision, and know you have what it takes to move forward.

2. Understand the emotional rollercoaster

A loss of a job is a significant event.  So your reactions will be similar to the loss of anything significant in your life. Expect to feel in denial, shocked, and fearful.  Blaming others and yourself is also common.

There will be a period of chaos, confusion and uncertainty before things improve.  Accept these as normal and try to explain to your partner, family and friends they won’t last forever.

Just when you feel you are making progress, you will slide back into the confusion stage again.

This can be especially distressing for those who like to have everything under control.

But there will also be the more positive feelings of acceptance, hope, renewed energy, and enthusiasm. 

3. Get to know yourself better

The advantage of a being out of the treadmill for a while is that you can really sit back and reflect on what you really want to do.

Have you had enough of the weekday slog?  Is this a time for looking at other options like small business, contracting or consulting?

What are my personal traits?  Have I been underutilising them until now?

A career counsellor can help you assess your career assets that include values, skills, satisfiers, signature strengths, and personality type.

4. Ensure your finances are in order.

A financial advisor can help you to create a temporary pay office using part of your redundancy so you have peace of mind during this stage. 

5.Get and seek support from others

If you think you can do it all yourself, don’t be fooled.  Talk to significant others, past employers and friends. 

They will provide emotional and practical support. 

They also form part of what every job seeker knows is crucial in their job search – a network.

Seventy-five percent of jobs are found through networks, so you will need to muster all their support and use leads to seek out potential employers.

6. Target the right employers

Many people make the mistake of firing off their resume to anyone, applying for jobs that really don’t suit, and wonder why they don’t get any interviews.

Use this time to develop a market ready CV that focuses on your achievements particularly in the past five years.

List the kind of work environments you would enjoy being in, the kind of boss you would like to have, the ideal salary package and conditions, and proximity to home.

All this puts you in the driver’s seat of your next career path.

What you are effectively doing is designing an ideal job specification and using this information to target those jobs out there in the marketplace.

7.Bounce back, again and again

If you get to the interview stage, you are already doing lots of things right.

But don’t let a reject send you back into a downward spiral.  Ask for feedback:  What worked well?  What could have been done differently?

Build this insight back into the next interview, and practice until you refine it well.

8. Negotiate a job offer on your terms

There is a tendency to accept the first offer or salary figure you are given.

Don’t be tempted to just accept any offer as this will undersell your worth. 

Understand the importance of good negotiation techniques, and know what your market worth is.  Scan the salary ranges of similar jobs in your field.

9. Begin a new job with enthusiasm

The first 90 days in a new role are the most challenging.  As you onboard into your new position, be aware of what brand you wish to convey to your new employer.

Always have a career plan in mind, and try to anticipate any changes in your organisation that could lead to other future transitions being made.

Having survived redundancy, you now have lifelong skills to more effectively risk manage your career well into the future.

*Warren Frehse, Career Transition Consultant, and Author of “Manage Your Own Career: Reinvent Your Job; Reinvent Yourself